Die Folgen: Bayern’s 4-1 win over Hoffenheim (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich traveled to Sinsheim to face off with an energetic and extremely motivated Hoffenheim side.
The home team was all over the pitch and played with a true sense of urgency throughout the game. Ultimately, Bayern Munich wore down Hoffenheim in a hard-fought 4-1 victory. Let’s get into all of the finer details — here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- In what was a nice change to the norm, Kompany chose to heavily rotate even in a very difficult spot — on the road, during a short week, against a hot Hoffenheim squad. Kompany inserted Lennart Karl for Michael Olise, Nicolas Jackson for Serge Gnabry, Kim Min-jae for Dayot Upamecano, Leon Goretzka for Joshua Kimmich, and Sacha Boey for the injured Stanišić. Konrad Laimer shifted over to play left-back
- As expected, Bayern Munich took a while to get its bearings. With so many lineup changes, it was never going to be seamless.
- Hoffenheim had three good chances in the first 15 minutes, include one shot off the crossbar and a blast the hit the post from Fisnik Aslani after a very uncharacteristic turnover from Manuel Neuer.
- Kane had a great chance in the 16th minute, but his blast was hit away by Oliver Baumann.
- In a way, it was fun to see Bayern Munich being pushed so hard. Hoffenheim was using a very aggressive press and forced Bayern Munich into several mistakes.
- Lennart Karl had his struggles in the first half with decision-making and positioning, but he showed why the club has so much trust in him at such a young age with a blast at Baumann in the 31st minute. Still, this was a learning experience for the youngster whose heart and creativity can sometime lead him to make poor choices.
- For as much as the team was scrambling, Kim Min-jae was covering a lot of ground and showing a very solid presence on the backline.
- Neuer was test again in the 35th minute. This time on a blast from Alexander Prass.
- Make no mistake, it was not going to be easy with the rotation, but this was another gut-check type game and performance. Kompany has to be able to trust his subs over the course of this season and it was awesome to see them get tested in a tough environment.
- The chemistry with Kane and Jackson is not there yet and it will take a while to get where it needs to be. Again, that is exactly why these kinds of games are so important for the coaching staff and the team.
- Bayern Munich did not have that same jump in its step as we saw in previous matches. There was some unfamiliarity and some hesitance in dealing with Hoffenheim’s challenges and aggression.
- Finally, Bayern Munich would break through and it was on a corner assist from Karl to Kane. A low hit corner angled out to a cutting Kane who drilled his shot home. Yup, it was something straight from the training ground.
- Kane is awesome…he just is. And what a big moment for Karl, who was not in the midst of the best performance to that point.
- In the first minute of added time, Karl almost made it 2-0 with his whirling dervish style of play. After freeing himself and seeing an open net, Karl just rushed his attempt and could not get any power on his shot.
- Minutes, later Kim might have saved a goal with a header clearance.
- The frantic first half would end and no, it was not Bayern Munich’s most fluid first half, but it was invaluable to the players out there and absolutely something that was needed. Hoffenheim was game to push the Bavarians in every way.
- Massive credit to Christian Ilzer for the attitude and mentality his squad is showing this season. Last season, Hoffenheim was dead in the water.
- Kane picked up the second half where he left off in the first half with a goal in the 48th minute. After a shot from Boey (!?) met the hand of Albian Hajdari for a penalty, which Kane promptly deposited for a 2-0 lead.
- Just like that, the tensions lessened for the visitors (and mostly for the Bayern Munich fans).
- The heat and the energy spent in the first half had its effect on Hoffenheim, who looked spent after Kane’s second goal.
- Kompany went to his bench for a triple-sub as Kimmich, Gnabry, and Olise entered the match in the 62nd minute for Goretzka, Karl, and Jackson.
- Kim left the game in the 69 minute and was replaced by Upamecano. We do not know exactly what the extent of the injury is as of yet. Fingers crossed that it is not another major ordeal for the South Korean defender. Initially, it looks like he was cramping, which would make sense as Boey was later felled by a cramp as well. The heat was an issue!
- Not even subbing in Andrej Kramarić could help Hoffenheim on this day.
- Olise drew a penalty, which — after a VAR review — was eventually put home Kane in the 77th minute.
- Kane is on an all-time heater at the moment.
- In the 82nd minute, Hoffenheim did get a goal when a free kick Vladimír Coufal took a deflection off of Kimmich’s foot and evaded a prone Neuer. That was as close as Die Kraichgauer would get, though.
- In the final second of added time, Kane took one last rip, which rebounded to Gnabry, who scored to make it 4-1.
- Overall, Bayern Munich battled through an up-and-down first half to take complete control of the game and wear down Hoffenheim squad. The home team was good for 45 minutes, but killed itself by using every ounce of energy to try and take the fight to Bayern Munich. As has been the case, though, Bayern Munich’s quality — and fight — eventually was able to shine through.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations,
or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Chiesa out in January? (Football Insider)
Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa could be on the move in January barring a sudden change in his role:
Chiesa was linked with moves away from Anfield over the summer after playing a limited role in the Reds’ Premier League title win last season, and he may regret his decision to stay at Liverpool in the long-term.
Alexander Isak’s arrival at Liverpool could spell the end of Federico Chiesa’s time at the club as soon as January, sources have told Football Insider.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 5, Episode 8 (Bavarian Football Works)
Man….the weekend. We all need it, so let’s get it kicked off with some talk on Bayern Munich! This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- Bayern Munich’s win over Chelsea showed us a level of guts and mentality that we have not seen in a while.
- How good has Harry Kane been? Can he keep up this torrid pace? Who’s your guy — Lewandowski or Kane?
- Will Kane see out his contract…or maybe even extend? If Kane leaves, who can possibly replace him? The usual suspects (Erling Haaland, Benjamin Šeško, Viktor Gyökeres, Nick Woltemade) are all likely off the table.
- Some names to watch on Julian Nagelsmann’s “shadow team.”
- A review of Task, Episode 2.
Rummenigge says he’d have been good in today’s game — we can’t argue (Kicker via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently was asked about how he would fit into today’s game and the supervisory board member thinks he would have done well:
How has football changed since you were a player?
Rummenigge: “The game today is more physical, faster, and tactically much more complex. At the turn of the millennium, the sweeper/libero was sometimes still part of a back three, but the long-established 4-4-2 has evolved into flexible systems such as 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 with pressing. The role of the playmaker has been somewhat reduced; previously, we had big number 10s like Wolfgang Overath or Günter Netzer, who were the focal point of the game. Today, the best player in a team gets the number 10, like Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappé, but they are more likely to be goal scorers. It has always been important to be fast; today, a player without speed has almost no chance at the top level.”
Would you have succeeded in today’s game?
Rummenigge: “I don’t think that would be a problem for me. I was a second striker, fast, with good dribbling skills – qualities that are still in demand today. In my best shape, I could certainly have played today. I was lucky enough to have been blessed with certain talents by God.”
Khedira praises Goretzka (Sport1 via @iMiaSanMia)
Former Germany player Sami Khedira does not understand all of the hate that Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka gets and is happy to have seen him battle through what was a tough period in Bavaria and with the German national team.
“Outstanding. It shows strength, maturity, but also extreme mentality and clarity of mind. Publicly, he completely kept his mouth shut. Internally, from what we hear, he worked like a madman, and he’s highly respected within the team. He stayed calm and fully convinced of his own qualities. He’s a machine, huge respect for Leon. Through his exemplary behaviour, he has also sent a signal to Julian Nagelsmann,” said Khedira.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Edges and Underdogs, a BuLi Action Show: Match Day 4 (Bavarian Football Works)
Welcome to Bavarian Podcast Works — Edges and Underdogs, a BuLi Action Show!
This is not your run-of-the-mill gambling show as we are putting more focus on the ins-and-outs of the actual match day’s showdowns, rather than an odds-driven format (but yes, you will get the odds as well). This podcast is for people who watch the Bundesliga intently and who want to dive into some of the big games for each match day. Through that, we will also provide some information that could help those seeking to make a wager or two.
Each week, we will highlight three matches to talk through and break down who has the edge, who might be hurting, who is susceptible to being upset, who’s getting hot, and more! This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Edges and Underdogs, a BuLi Action Show:
- Catching up on how we did last week.
- A look at this weekend’s match-ups — including win probability, odds, injury updates, trends, AI predictions, and our predictions as well.
The bottom line…it’s time for some action.
Tah comfortable in leaving his comfort zone (Säbener 51 via @iMiaSanMia)
Jonathan Tah, who turned in a solid effort vs. Hoffenheim on Saturday, says that he likes being challenged.
“It doesn’t feel uncomfortable. But it was a step out of my comfort zone for me. I had a great time in Leverkusen for ten years, the club and I developed further, and now I felt it was time for me to get to know a completely new environment. I’m grateful to Leverkusen for the time we spent together – but I think it’s also important to question yourself every now and then and consider: What can I do to take another step, to grow – as a person, but also as a footballer. That’s why I made this decision,” said Tah.
Musiala a fan of having freedom on the pitch (GQ via @iMiaSanMia)
Once Jamal Musiala is back from his injury, the star attacker is looking forward to playing with the freedom that the club has given him on the field.
“Having specific tasks at every training session and every game is important, and I have to implement what the coach has planned for me. But it’s equally important that I keep a clear head so I can see all the possibilities I have,” Musiala remarked.
